True statement? Sunnies day, crappies night?

[Kylersk]

Last night I caught a bunch of sunnies, bluegills, and a couple of perch from about 4pm till sundown. Didnt catch one crappie, then after the sun went down, the crappies started to bite. I think I caught about 20ish sunnies prior to sundown, and only a couple after. I caught maybe a dozen crappies after sundown, but not one before. Just coincedence? Or is this a typical pattern?

[Ryan_V]

The more important question here is... where did you have the luck???

[Matt Johnson]

Thats a typical pattern, but you can still catch sunnies after dark and crappies during the day. Crappies have an advantage after dark because of their vision, where bluegills tend to bully around the crappies during the day and are more eager to fly in on baits very aggressively. Crappies can act the same, but its generally your bluegills that are dominators during the daytime. Crappies will come out and suspend at night, while the bluegills will still hold somewhat to the bottom. Crappies are typically the most active during the twilight periods, or low-light periods, like sunrise or sundown.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Kylersk]

Thanks Matt,

Last night was also the first time I truely got to use my vexilar. I'd see a couple fish a couple feet off the bottom. I'd drop my line to the bottom and slowly reel it up to the suspended fish. Let it sit for a bit, then reel it up a bit and watch as the fish swam towards it. Then I'd stop and then I'd notice the hit. Next thing I'm reeling up the red marks on the vexilar. This didnt happen all the time, but the vexilar sure did help!

Out of all the fish I caught, I brought home ZERO for dinner.

[Matt Johnson]

Isn't that a blast watching those red marks on the flasher rise to the bait! It gets my blood pumpin everytime it happens, it never gets old! You're going to enjoy the flasher more and more. Glad to hear you are starting to have some success. Things will just keep getting better.

Here's a little tip when working those suspended crappies. Don't drop your bait below them if you notice them all ready suspened before you drop down. Slowly drop your bait to just about a foot or two above the fish, that way you don't spook the school of fish by dropping a bait through them, and you also get to work on the ones closest to the top and work your way down. It also seems that the highest suspending fish are the most aggressive too. Red glow also seems to be a hot color for after dark crappies too.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Kylersk]

Matt, do you use a split shot on your line? My current 'jigging setup' has a white nuclear ant, 4# test and a st croix rod. That's it. I've noticed that the only glowing lures are my white ones (I've got red but they dont appear to glow).. Guess I need to buy a couple other colors.

thanks for the help!

[Deitz Dittrich]

As matt stated, that is usually the rule.. Crappies do USUALLY bite best in the last hour at sundown and sunrise.. The water clarity is usually what will change this.. if you are in darker water the crappies can be an all day bite. I have also caught some monster blueegills at night (IE 2am) This is not the norm.. but it can happen... Fishing rules are meant to be broken...

From what it sounds you are doing just fine!!

I use sinkers on my line to help get my line down at times... when the fish are biting well... I dont think it hurts the action of the lure under most instances.

And yes.. you always need more lures!!! NO MATTER HOW MANY YOU HAVE!!!

[Duffer]

i use sinkers all the time expecealy in deeper water and when they are bitten good it helps it get down faster so u can catch more fish.

[Matt Johnson]

I personally don't use sinkers when fishing crappies and gills. I'll use Dust Shot from Thill time to time, which are very tiny weights that crimp onto your line. However, feel free to use sinkers if necessary.

I would also try downsizing to 2 pound test line. I only use 2 pound test line for panfish now. 2 pound test line is stronger then you would think. As long as you match the rod and stay away from the quick, 2 foot snapping motion hook-sets then you'll be fine with 2 pound test for any panfishing adventure. The only time I'll beef up to 3 or 4 pound test is if I'm going after crappies in deeper water using jigging spoons.

The Nuclear Ant is a great choice, I've been doing pretty well on those in the pink color lately. I also like the size 10 Shrimpo for panfish too. Again, I found red glow to be a very dominant color for winter pannies. But, most glow colors work well during low-light conditions or after dark.

Another thing, see if you can find euro larva or spikes if you haven't already. I don't have anything against wax worms, but I've noticed a lot better success rate when using smaller maggots like euro's and spikes then when using waxies, especially in the Metro. Euro's and spikes also stay on the hook better too.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[IcEaHoLiC]

Matt, is that the fearless 18" crappie that you caught....thats a beast! I also like to use 2 pounds test for panfish......i just got one of those frabill panfish popper rod and reel combos, and i love them! The built-in spring bobber is awesome! lots of times you willsee the fish come to your bait on the flasher...then you cant feel anything bite....but the spring bobber detects the slightest bite. The first day i used it I caught crappies left and right on it. By far i think that this is one of the better rods for the money!

back to the topic..........I have found that the sunnies bite more during the day...but you will get crappies too. When dusk rolls around the crappies tend to come out and lots of time you will see them 4-5 feet off the bottom. Without a flasher they would be hard to spot!

You can never get tired of catching crappies, i dont think it is even possible!